Swallowdale

Background to Swallowdale

AlthoughSwallows and Amazons sold slowly at first, both Arthur Ransome and Jonathan Cape were keen to produce a sequel. But Ransome had a false start on this. He began Their Own Story, an early version of Peter Duck. In this he had the Swallows and Amazons imagining a high seas adventure whilst aboard a Norfolk Wherry in winter. He also toyed with Swallows in Syria. But he quickly abandoned both in favour of a straight sequel, set once more in the Lake District. He began Swallowdale in January, 1931.

Synopsis

The four Swallows, John, Susan, Titty and Roger return to sail and camp on Wild Cat Island, the year after their first visit in Swallows and Amazons. They are looking forward to renewing their alliance with Nancy and Peggy, the Amazon Pirates. But a shipwreck and an unwelcome visit by the Amazons’ fearsome Great-Aunt Maria soon upset their plans. Can they overcome both to climb Kanchenjunga before returning to the island?